Student's choice of major: A case study from Central Connecticut State University

Over the past decade the number of high school seniors choosing to pursue a college education has increased substantially. This growth has corresponded to a particularly difficult time in United States economic history, and although markets are recovering, the recovery has been slow and painful for many. While many have felt the effects of the downturn, recent graduates are feeling the effects most acutely. Many find their first professional appointment elusive, and although some of the reasons for these struggles are unavoidable, others are not. Unfortunately, many recent graduates leave school and find that the jobs their major qualifies them for are unpalatable or that their skills do not match the needs of employers.

These issues merit the attention of those in higher education. To effectively and efficiently remedy these scenarios (and hopefully protect future students from the same fate), the first step is to understand how and why students select their major. Although this question is not new and has been studied rather extensively, the majority of existing studies were conducted at elite universities that are highly selective and often attract top students. As such, whether the findings from these studies can be generalized to the larger student population is unclear.

This study constitutes a first step toward answering that question. Using a survey of 100 undergraduate students at Central Connecticut State University (CCSU), where students are representative of the average college student in the United States, we identify the factors that guide their choice of major.

The results of this study will enhance our understanding of how the average student chooses their major. Knowing which factors are important to students and which are overlooked will enhance our ability to help students find the major that best aligns with their objectives. In turn, this will help students navigate through CCSU more efficiently and more purposefully, which will encourage students to remain focused, work hard, and perhaps most importantly, complete the degree program that will provide the most value to them.